Mental Health Policy, Economics and Services

Overview

The certificate introduces current issues in mental health policy including economic evaluation of mental and substance disorders and their treatments; access to mental health care treatments and utilization patterns; and mental health care financing, insurance, and delivery system issues in the U.S The certificate program also strives to orient mental health policy, economics, and services training within the broader context of ongoing national health care debates.

It is open to Johns Hopkins University graduate students interested in policy, advocacy and research careers within the field of mental health and junior and mid-level public health professionals interested in expanding their knowledge base and expertise in mental health services and economics and related policy issues.

Educational Objectives

Students completing the certificate will gain specialized knowledge of policy issues and economics relevant to mental disorders and mental health services. They will be able to:

Describe the types, organization and financing of service systems for the mentally ill in the US; strengths and weaknesses of these service systems; and historical and recent trends in the mental health care delivery system

Discuss the major legal and political developments in mental health care in the US over the last century and their impact on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental health illnesses and associated disabilities and co-morbidities

Interpret and provide input into the conduct of program evaluations, including economic evaluation of mental health interventions, and the design and implementation of mental health services and policy

Use economic theory to predict changes in delivery of, access to, and quality of mental health services in response to changes in national and local policies and incentives

Interpret and provide input into the conduct of health systems research related to mental health interventions, services, and policy

Eligibility

The certificate is open to masters and doctoral students currently enrolled in any division of The Johns Hopkins University, with the exception of JHSPH MAS students, who are not eligible to apply until they have completed their primary degree program. It is also offered to non-degree students with at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a strong record of successful academic performance.

Admissions Process

Applicants should review the How to Apply page for information about eligibility and special instructions.

Requirements for Successful Completion

The certificate requires a minimum of 19 term credits. All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade and students must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.75 overall in certificate courses. The certificate program length is flexible; it varies from student to student, however, the certificate must be completed within three years.

The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements. The student's transcript will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion has been submitted, verified by the certificate program, and processed by the registrar.

Course of Study

Students should check the course catalog to confirm when the courses are offered. The term and time may change from what is listed in the table below and students should also check for pre-requisites and whether instructor consent is required.

Contact Information

Gainful Employment Program Information

In accordance with US Department of Education regulations, the JHU Bloomberg School of Public Health is required to disclose graduation rate data, median loan debt data, and other select information for all Title IV eligible gainful employment programs. To see the most recent data available for this gainful employment program, please view this disclosure.